KSM Promotes 600 to 4th degree at Okigwe – As Bishop Amatu warns on superstitious beliefs

The Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Saturday. February 1, 2014, in a colourful ceremony, admitted to the 4th Degree of the order no fewer than 600 Knights and their Ladies. Held at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Okigwe, the event’s high points included the induction and the investiture of the candidates during a Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Bishop of Okigwe, Most Rev. Solomon A. Amatu, assisted by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Simon Anyanwu, Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Anyanwu, Editor Sage, Rev. Fr. Onyedikachi Agoawike and many other priests. The head of the Order in Nigeria, Chief Anthony Onuh (Supreme Knight), the Noble President (LSM), Lady Ngor…

Ahiara Diocesan CCRN ends 5th Conference

Weep no More, Your Light Has Come – Fr. Godson Okoro St. Patrick’s Secondary School Ogbe Ahiara Ahiazu Mbaise, became a beehive of activities as members of Ahiara Diocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN) numbering about 10,000 thronged the premises with activities ranging from praise worship, spiritual talks, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, meditations/prayers, outreach talks, candle procession and workshop to solemn Mass celebration to mark their 5th Ahiara Diocesan Conference tagged “Weep No More, My Light Has Come”. The  four day ceremony, Thursday, Nov. 28 – Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, started with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Godson Okoro, who represented the Diocesan Apostolic Administrator, His Eminence,…

Ahiara City Development: “Go Slow Is Not Our Portion!”

His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, in  2012 announced the creation of seven new cities in Imo State. The cities are Ahiara, Akokwa, Anara, Mgbidi, Nwaorieubi, Okpala and Umuaka. The development of these cities which is a strong plank in the Governor’s Agenda to rescue Imo State from “underdevelopment” and “rural-urban migration” thereby “creating employment, wealth and improved standard of living” was very welcome especially in Ahiara which has enormous comparative advantage for urban development. This comparative advantage has been waiting for years to be exploited. The Catholic Church saw it long ago and located their Mbaise headquarters there. Ikemba Ojukwu saw it and held the Ahiara Declaration there. Owelle…

Owerri Provincial Catholic Women end Seminar at Ahiara Diocese – Mothers charged on Holiness

The Vicar-General of Ahiara Diocese representing His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Apostolic Administrator of the diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Louis Asiegbu, has charged the mothers of Owerri Provincial Council of Catholic Women Organization (OPCCWO) to aspire for holiness after the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ whom they are following.  He gave this charge in his opening remarks during their annual seminar held at Sacred Heart Parish Nguru Centre Ahiara Diocese, Saturday, September 28, 2013. Rev. Fr. Asiegbu reminded the mothers that all our efforts to achieve heaven are in vain if we are not holy.  Referring to “Love in Action”, which is the topic of the seminar, he assured that…

Ahiara Diocese loses Msgr Don Okoro

-  To be buried on Oct. 10 The Catholic Diocese of Ahiara has regretfully announced the passing on to eternal glory of one of her septuagenarian priest, Very Rev. Msgr Donald Okoro. The death occurred on Friday September 20, 2013, after a brief illness. Very Msgr Don Okoro was one of the Pioneer Priest of the Ahiara Diocese who were instrumental to the declaration of Ahiara Diocese, November 18, 1987 and its inauguration, January 6th 1988, with His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Victor Adike Chikwe as the Pioneer Catholic Bishop. He was born in 1938 and lived for 75 years of fruitful service in the vineyard of the Lord before his passing on. He was…

KSM Mbaise Sub-Council initiates 19

- As Sir Basil Emeka Iwu looks forward to defending the Church GOZIE UKASOANYA – The thanksgiving Mass that preceded the initiation of 19 members into the Order of Knights of St. Mulumba, Mbaise Sub-Council was held on Sunday, August 4, 2013 at Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral, Ahiara Mbaise. The Mass which was well attended by the Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba as well as family members and well-wishers of the newly initiated was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Godson Okoro, the Ahiara Diocesan Chancellor. During his homily, Fr. Okoro noted that the essence of human existence is to serve God and this obligation must be accomplished through candid and cordial relationship between man and…

HOMILY ON SUNDAY 21st JULY 2013 By John Cardinal Onaiyekan

HOMILY ON SUNDAY 21st JULY 2013 THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR AT MARIA MATER ECCLESIAE CATHEDRAL AHIARA MBAISE By John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese. Otito dili Jesu! As you are all aware, on the 3rd of July, the announcement was made in the Vatican that I have been appointed Apostolic Administrator of this diocese of Ahiara “ad nutum sanctae sedis” meaning in the name and on behalf of the Holy See, an appointment that was on the instruction of His Holiness Pope Francis. I was here in Ahiara on the day of the announcement but only for a few hours. I am now here for a longer time,…

Homily by +John Cardinal ONAIYEKAN, Saturday July 20th, 2013

Ahiara Diocese: Mass with The Priests Saturday July 20th, 2013. Homily by +John Cardinal ONAIYEKAN, Archbishop of Abuja, Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara. May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen. 1. First of all, I thank Mons. Nwalor and all of you, the presbyterium of Ahiara diocese for the warm welcome you have given to me since my appointment by the Holy See as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese. Your enthusiastic and loyal acceptance of this last intervention of the Holy See is a sign of better days ahead. May the Spirit of the Lord continue to guide us all along the way of love, unity and…

Ahiara Diocese: My role as Apostolic Administrator – Onaiyekan

His Eminence, John Cardinal Onayekan, the new Apostolic Administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, who assumed duties, Friday, July 19, 2013, has thrown light into the nature of his assignments. The prelate, who was answering a reporter’s question, said that the clergy, laity and himself have a common task to do, namely: “To restore the issues still left there to be restored”.  He was emphatic to say, “I am not the bishop of Ahiara, but rather, “I am the Apostolic Administrator”. According to the Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja, he would administer the place in the name of the Holy See.  He however pointed out that it does not mean that he was the one…

THE POOR CRYING FOR A MOSES

One thing is certain.  From the earliest recorded history man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organizing himself according to what is befitting his true nature as a natural being.  He remains a political animal and can only realize himself fully in a well organized political state.  How well he can organize his political society is the problem. Over two thousand years, when the situation in the world was apparently not as bad as what obtains today, the same hopelessness of the human character was well evident in Christ’s lamentation.  “Oh you generation of vipers.  How can you, being evil speak good things”. The poor whose population is overwhelming are suffering in…

Prof. Viola Onwuliri commissions Ultra-Modern School Gate at Amuzi

- Harps on Education as short-cut to bigmanism One of the activities lined up for the one-year memorial of late Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri (KSJI), the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) is the commissioning of an ultra-modern school gate of Community Secondary School Amuzi, Ahiazu LGA Mbaise, which took place Wednesday, June 19, 2013 by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs State I, Prof. Viola Onwuliri (LAUX), wife of the late former Vice-Chancellor. Before her arrival, the students and their teachers filed out from the school gate to the Eke Amuzi market to accord her a befitting welcome.  After commissioning the school ultra-modern gate, the Minister inspected the school’s laboratory science…

Calvary Intercessory Association celebrates 20th anniversary – Extols Spiritual Directors

Members of Calvary Intercessory Association (CIA) comprising more than eight dioceses from eight states in Nigeria, notably: Ekiti in Ekiti State, Ibadan in Oyo State, Awka in Anambra State, Umuahia in Abia State, Auchi in Edo State, Ahiara in Imo State, Issele-Uku in Delta State, Ondo in Ondo State and Mina diocese in the making, gathered in their numbers at St. Joseph’s Catholic parish Ushi, Ekiti Diocese, May 31 – June 2, 2013 and celebrated the 20th anniversary of their cherished association. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev. Msgr. Edward Ogidan and concelebrated by Rev. Frs. Raph Osegboun, Pastoral Vicar, Victor Oleseeni and Rev. Msgr. Joseph Olusola Ojo, who doubles as the Founder…

Full text of Bishop Okpaleke’s Post-ordination speech (2)

Contd. from last edition In a lighter mood, let me confess that now I know firsthand the emotions women go through when they are getting married. It is like being transplanted from one location to another with the uncertainties and adaptation challenges therefrom. The experience is made worse if the woman notices sins of non-acceptance by some in her place of marriage. But many women know that in spite of the roughness of the beginnings, better days could be ahead and that the best way to ensure better days ahead is by loving and serving all irrespective of what has transpired at the beginning. Indeed, if left to choose between two unpleasant options, many women…

Hon Pat-Ekeji identifies with Okada riders -Distributes 500 sets of rain-coat

Ngozi Pat-Ekeji, member representing Aboh Mbaise in the Imo State House of Assembly on Friday, May 10, 2013 distributed about 500 sets of rain-coat outfits to all okada riders in Aboh Mbaise LGA, Imo State. Speaking during the hand-over event at Community Primary School Hall Umuopara Nguru Mbaise, Hon. Pat-Ekeji, who is also the Minority Leader in the Imo House of Assembly (IMHA), reminded the members of Okada Riders Association that the occasion was part of her effort to deliver on her election promises to the people of Aboh Mbaise State Constituency.  “My brothers, I have come to tell you that I have not forgotten you.  The role you played and your support during the…

Bishop Okpaleke Ordained for Ahiara

Msgr. Peter Okpaleke was on Tuesday May 21, consecrated Bishop of Ahiara Diocese amidst tight security. The Episcopal Ordination which was earlier scheduled to take place at Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral Ahiara was suddenly shifted to the Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri for security reasons. However, the ceremony was peaceful and successful as there was no report of any breach of peace. The Most. Rev. Anthony Obinna, the Archbishop of Owerri and Metropolitan of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province presided over the ceremony assisted by over 40 Catholic bishops including the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Augustine Kasujja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja and the Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of Jos…

Full text of Bishop Okpaleke’s Post-ordination speech (1)

Your Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan. The Cardinal Archbishop Of Abuja Your Grace, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of Jos and President, CBCN Your Grace, Archbishop Anthony J.V Obinna, the Archbishop of Owerri and Metropolitan of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province Your Grace, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria Your Excellencies, the Archbishops and Bishops Superiors Generals and Provincial Superiors The Secretary General and Staff of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Rt. Rev, and Very Rev. Msgri, Rev. Frs., Consecrated men and women of the various orders, Seminarians His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha Other Governors, Commissioners and Government Officials Nde ulo anyi, ndeAhiara Diocese Knights of the Church and their…

Msgr. Emma Ogu celebrates 40th anniversary of priesthood

It was another remarkable day in the life of Very Rev. Msgr. Emma Onyebuchi Ogu, Spiritual Director, Mater Ecclesiae Seminary Nguru Aboh Mbais as he celebrated 40 years of his priestly ordination on April 28, 2013 at St. Anthony’s Parish Umunama. He was ordained priest on April 28 1973. The celebration attracted a cream of the society, priests and religious, members of the House of Senate, House of Representative, Honourable Members of Imo State House of Assembly, Knights of the Church, Royal Fathers and top civil servants. Delivering the homily at the solemn Mass presided over by Msgr. Emma Ogu and assisted by 35 other priests including Rev. Fr. Peter C. Osuagwu, Parish Priest, Rev….